Plant growth device

Abstract

Disclosed is a rack for growing plants, including mounting means and a plurality of shelve means spaced vertically. Each of the plurality of shelve means is configured to slide generally horizontally in and out of said mounting means and includes a carrier element; and at least substantially planar light emitting element disposed under the carrier element and formed by at least one OLED. Positions of each of the plurality of shelve means are interchangeable relative to the mounting means.

1. A rack for growing plants, comprising:
 a mounting rack to receive a plurality of shelves; 
 said plurality of shelves spaced vertically in said mounting rack; each of said plurality of shelves slidably received horizontally in and out of said mounting rack and having
 a carrier element; and 
 a substantially planar light emitting element disposed under said carrier element and formed of an array of OLEDs; 
 a plurality of electrical connectors associated with each of said plurality of shelves; each of said plurality of connectors comprises a first part attached to said mounting rack and a second part attached to one of said plurality of shelves, and 
 at least one supply line coupled to said each of said plurality of connectors; 
 wherein positions of each of said plurality of shelves are interchangeably slidably receivable within said mounting rack, and each of said plurality of connectors are configured to electrically engage one of said first parts with one of said second parts in proximity of an inner limit of a slide of a corresponding one of said plurality of shelves; 
 each of said shelves further having a first rail system and a second rail system below and independently slidable from said first rail system. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The rack of  claim 1 , wherein said array of OLEDs is attached to said carrier element and covers substantially an entire bottom surface thereof. 
     
     
       3. The rack of  claim 1 , wherein said array of OLEDs comprises a first group of OLEDs emitting a grow light and a second group of OLEDs emitting a control light. 
     
     
       4. The rack of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more components of an electrical power supply and a driver for the array of OLEDs. 
     
     
       5. The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier element comprises a water supply. 
     
     
       6. The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier element comprises a soil or substrate facilitating growth of the plants. 
     
     
       7. The rack of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of shelves is configured for dissipating heat generated by the array of OLEDs. 
     
     
       8. The rack of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting rack and said first rail system comprise a plurality of generally horizontal first rails spaced corresponding to said spacing of said plurality of shelves and said each of said plurality of shelves comprises at least one wheel set configured to ride on one of said plurality of generally horizontal first rails. 
     
     
       9. The rack of  claim 8  wherein said second rail system carries said planar light emitting element. 
     
     
       10. A rack for growing plants and having slidable shelves, comprising:
 a mounting rack having at least one first rail system having at least one first rail mounted to said mounting rack; 
 a plurality of shelves, each of said shelves having a carrier element for receiving plant material, each of said shelves received within said mounting rack by said at least one first rail system; 
 a substantially planar array of OLEDs disposed under each of said carrier elements of each of said shelves; 
 a plurality of removably affixable electrical connectors allowing electrical connectivity between said array of OLEDs and an electrical power supply through said mounting rack; 
 wherein each of said shelves are mounted horizontally within said mounting rack and are slidable on said first rail system for interchangeable positioning on said mounting rack; 
 wherein said array of said OLEDs on each shelf dissipates heat into said carrier element receiving said plant and directs light downward onto a next adjacent lower shelf slidably received in said mounting rack; and a second rail system below said first rail system on which said array of OLEDs is mounted for each of said shelves, said array of OLEDs slidable below and separately from said carrier element.